BBDi

Sad!

Just because.

Me three.

Woosley's departure makes me wonder how many people involved with the transition are finally realizing what deep shit we are in?

A couple weeks ago I was re-reading Gilead by Marilynne Robinson for a bit of comfort. I happened to find online a 2-part interview in the NYT Book Review, I think, between Robinson and Obama. They are huge mutual fans. Apparently Obama loves Gilead and has said that the book's protagonist, an elderly pastor, is one of his favorite literary characters. It made me weep to read the interview - when will we have another leader who loves literature so deeply? And how come we never hear all these so-called Christians, who continue to call Obama a secret Muslim, speaking so eloquently about their faith and how it connects to their belief in the American people?

I canvassed for Elizabeth Warren - spent every weekend for about 3 months knocking on doors. And I will gladly do it again. I consider it one of the best uses I've ever made of my time and energy, and it made me feel so much less helpless about our political process. I did the same for Ed Markey, with less enthusiasm but an understanding that his senate seat was just as important as hers. At the same time, we worked on behalf of candidates for state offices. Very inspiring to see a bunch of young folks, middle -aged, and old folks pounding the pavement together. I realized it was a nice little perk of having grown-ass kids that I could spend my weekends doing this. Next week I'll be getting back in touch with my local democrats to see what I can do.

Yes. Thank you. I have drawn a lot of comfort from people here. Saved the last vestiges of my sanity. Bye everyone!

You guys. I just read the post from the moderators pinned above regarding shutting down the forum (though posts will be archived). I just want to say that I really love all. Selfishly speaking, you have saved my sanity over these last few weeks. If anyone has suggestions for an alternate meeting place, please post it or PM me if you don't mind. Truly, thank you all so much.

Well, he didn't really make a principled stand or repudiate Trump. I think he just wanted to extricate himself from the clusterfuck to protect his own reputation.

That kind of support also gives them something quantifiable that they can use politically or with the media; e.g., the number of supportive vs negative calls they got. I'm sure it is helpful in a number of ways.

I think we'd get a lot of his "No one really knows what happened" bullshit.

I have this fantasy that Trump will ask Kanye to sing or rap or recite a poem at the inauguration, and Kanye will start his performance and then go off on white people, much to the horror of the assembled crowds. I would love that!

Maybe Hillary can wear a button saying "I won this popular vote by ~2.8 million" or something. If it were me, I'd have to get stinking drunk first to go. ETA: I am really concerned she will be booed and heckled by Trump supporters. These are not classy people and don't know how to behave. Also, I totally think she and Bill should have a wine-and-weed party after the inauguration for their friends and supporters. They are going to need it.

She'd be a much better president too, no doubt.

I read somewhere that Trump is still holding forth at length about his victory and how he won the election (leaving out most of the true parts, of course). I wonder if he'll attempt to do this at the inauguration? Even though he's working with a speechwriter I doubt he can resist being obnoxious. If so, I'd hate to be Hillary sitting through that. I do think she has to go, if only to avoid accusations of being a sore loser (though she'll probably get those anyway). Poor woman - she's taken so much shit as it is. There's no real good option for her.

Hillary will be OK. She is very useful to him - he can constantly point out to his supporters how he saved us from "Crooked Hillary," he can keep threatening to prosecute her (something his supporters seem to crave), and he wouldn't, I think, want to turn her into a martyr and also have no one left to blame.

I've thought of Regina George a lot lately in a different context - I can almost hear her saying "Stop trying to make 'alt-left' happen. It's not going to happen!"

It troubles me that someone believes something that is absolutely unsubstantiated. But doesn't believe things that ARE substantiated. Oh well. Bernie made a grown-up decision and dropped out when it was mathematically impossible for him to win and it was clear there was nothing further to be gained, and much to be lost (i.e., Trump getting elected) by staying in and drawing support away from Clinton. He didn't need a bribe to "go away." He's a smart and conscientious person. ETA: If one consults Occam's razor, one might realize that timing-wise, it makes sense to acquire the summer home after Bernie was certain he would not be spending the next 4-8 years in the White House. And yes, I do believe Hillary was asked to step aside back in 2007 and support Obama, with the understanding that it would be her "turn" in 2016. Just like Jeb went into this election cycle thinking it was his turn. I think this is a flawed way for parties to pick which horse they want to back. Then again, Clinton and even Jeb are far more qualified than the deluded piss-baby we're stuck with now.

Do you disagree with Dowd's tweet?

I think it's just his usual default babbling when he doesn't want to answer. It reminds me of his "no one really knows" BS, which he uses to respond to uncomfortable truths that, in fact, are well known and documented (like climate change).

Close your eyes and try to erase the present discussion from your mind. Now imagine if you heard someone talking about another person being "the second coming, thinking he's the second coming, etc. What would come to mind? I have almost never heard the term "second coming" (except when actually talking about Jesus, of course) used without some sarcasm or at least skepticism intended. Not to mention that the subtitle asks whether Obama can deliver. I highly doubt he was being anointed by Newsweek there. If you are still in doubt, think back to the last time you referred to anybody or anything (again, except Jesus) as the "second coming," and the context you said it in. Be honest. Did you say it in a 100% positive way? Most likely not. ETA: Nothing good comes from expecting a president or other public figure to fix everything and solve all your problems for you - whether it's Obama, Trump, or anyone else.

For today in Bethlehem, unto us a 70-year old child is born.

This is beside the point, but I just fell in love with you a little for saying "hoi polloi" without "the" in front.

It will look funny if Apricot Adolf winds up going after Teen Vogue. Imagine PEOTUS launching a tweet storm against a teen magazine. Btw, anybody see his twitter rants from a few years again ago about Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson? Pure comedy gold.

Maybe Melania will go after Palladino for bullying.